Bush not surprised by Middle East uprisings

DALLAS -- Former President George W. Bush says he isn't surprised by the recent uprisings in the Middle East and warns that it takes a while for freedom to "take root."

Bush made brief remarks Thursday while introducing former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a conference hosted by the George W. Bush Institute. He says that the U.S. shouldn't become isolated while those freedom reforms are taking place.

Rice told the audience of about 300 that fledging reforms in the Mideast need to be nurtured, adding that it's no time for the U.S. to "lose its nerve."

She says, "The message should be freedom is always worth it."

The event is being held on the Southern Methodist University campus, where Bush's presidential center is being built.

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